PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Konji Yamaski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serj Tankian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tankian has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Konji Yamaski has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Yamaski
vs
Tankian

168 cm
27
145 lbs
5 - 12 - 0

180 cm
26
153 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Exotic Animal Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Konji Yamaski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Serj Tankian!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tankian keeps the fight on the outside.
Tankian looks gassed!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tankian is defended easily by Yamaski.
Yamaski ducks under a wild hook from Tankian.
Yamaski shoots in for a double leg but Tankian sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Yamaski.
Yamaski throws out a loose jab but Tankian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tankian darts in trying to clinch

and Yamaski counters with a shoot takedown. Tankian fights it but they end up in guard.
Yamaski trying to control but Tankian is working from the bottom.
Yamaski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Yamaski controlling from the top position.
Yamaski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Tankian working for a triangle but Yamaski defends it easily.
Yamaski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yamaski trying to control but Tankian is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yamaski stays in close to Tankian's body and controls the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Konji Yamaski wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Tankian gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Yamaski to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Yamaski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yamaski landing with the ground and pound.
Yamaski sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaski slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yamaski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Yamaski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tankian defends it well.
Tankian is not content to let Yamaski control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

We're going to have a standup here because Konji Yamaski wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Tankian wants to clinch up but Yamaski keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konji Yamaski dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tankian closes the distance and pushes Yamaski back into the cage.
Tankian tries a knee to the head but Yamaski blocks it.
Tankian gets underhooks to prevent Yamaski's takedown attempt.
Yamaski is trying to drag Tankian to the mat but Tankian just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tankian prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konji Yamaski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tankian lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Tankian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yamaski misses with a low kick.
Tankian falls off balance throwing a combination

and Yamaski counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tankian!
Tankian is trying desperately to improve position.
Tankian squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaski unloads with some shots from mount but Tankian bucks and avoids them well.
Yamaski tries to control but Tankian wriggling away.
Yamaski with shots to the head and body - Tankian looks very uncomfortable down there.
Tankian is trying to stand.

Yamaski jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tankian is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tankian and Yamaski has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Yamaski working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Yamaski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Yamaski throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Yamaski staying calm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yamaski tries for a kimura but Tankian is defending well.
Tankian is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Yamaski off and has taken his back!
I really don't envy Yamaski right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tankian looking to break Yamaski's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Yamaski remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tankian will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Tankian looking for the RNC.
Yamaski looking very determined here, making life difficult for Tankian.
Yamaski rolls, trying to escape but Tankian keeps control of the position.

Tankian is persistently looking for the submission but Yamaski is defending it well.

Tankian working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konji Yamaski dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yamaski misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yamaski tries to clinch up
and Tankian counters with a left and a right that stings Yamaski.
Tankian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamaski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Yamaski tries to clinch

and Tankian counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Yamaski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tankian's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tankian keeping moving, preventing Yamaski from controlling successfully.
Yamaski prevents Tankian from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamaski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Tankian is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Tankian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tankian scores with a hook to the body. Yamaski takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Yamaski closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tankian counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Yamaski shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Tankian moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konji Yamaski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tankian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tankian lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tankian lands a head kick. Yamaski smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Yamaski has a takedown stuffed.
Tankian connects with a high kick.
Tankian lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tankian changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tankian throws a head kick that half lands.
That kick from Tankian tenderised Yamaski's leg. Yamaski is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yamaski shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tankian pinned against the cage. Tankian gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tankian jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Yamaski tries to clinch up
and Tankian connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yamaski takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yamaski wants to clinch but Tankian slips to the side
and Tankian counters with a nice body kick.
Yamaski tries to close the distance and clinch but Tankian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tankian scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Yamaski slaps away a takedown attempt from Tankian, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Konji Yamaski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tankian connects with a good right hand that stumbles Yamaski. Yamaski circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tankian throws a head kick but Yamaski moves out of range.

Yamaski closes the distance and clinches.
Yamaski is stalling here.
Tankian blocks an uppercut.
Tankian with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tankian taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Yamaski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yamaski is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Yamaski takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tankian prevents a takedown attempt there.
Serj Tankian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Konji Yamaski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tankian with an attempt at a knee that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serj Tankian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yamaski has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Konji Yamaski!